If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Frame making fixtures

I wanted to share 2 of fixture I made for making my own frames. I know I'm not saving much by making them but have enjoyed doing it very much. Fortunate I purchased all of my equipment years ago.

Jointer fixture for the side bars:

I made my side bars out of 2x6's so they would fit on my jointer; I've been able to make 1 pass on each side with a new cutter. This might be overkill but it worked very well at applying down pressure and keeping my hands out of the way.

Re: Frame making fixtures

Here is the sliding table I made to cut the side bars to 3/8" wide. It works very well. I was hoping to have more of the blade covered but it works well to stop when the center of the blade comes out of the back, this way I know that the blade is out of the way of the side bars and I can safely remove it.

I hope this helps someone and if anyone has any improvements I'd love to hear them.

Re: Frame making fixtures

Nice fixtures. I may set one up for cutting them off the block, but so far have had no trouble at all just slicing them off against the fence on the table saw or band saw. Table saw works better, but you lose a couple per block.

I cut the sides down one at a time by hand -- the rotating cover with the stop set makes this pretty safe on the jointer, and it's easier than doing the whole block at once.

I trim them down after drilling them in my very cheap and cheerful drilling jig.

I have a radial arm saw the I used to make the 3/8" wide cuts in the top bars but this could be done on a router table like "Westernbeeker" did or a table saw using the sliding "T" that comes with the saw.